JOINT-BOSS Wayne Oliver says the players are raring to go for this weekend’s FA Vase second qualifying round clash at higher-ranked Shifnal Town.
The Saltmen make the trip to Shropshire on Saturday to take on their West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division opponents in a bid to create more history.
Competing in the Vase for the very first time, Spa progressed to the second qualifying round with a 3-1 after extra-time victory over Pegasus Juniors a fortnight ago.
With the players now used to the occasion, Oliver told the Standard there should be no nerves go into this weekend’s clash.
“We just have to go out there and do our best, it is all you can ask for,” he said.
“I think the players now understand what this tournament is all about so hopefully they will be more relaxed.
“We will attack the game professionally and see where that takes us.
“Hopefully we can get the right result for the fans this weekend as a bus load of supporters are coming to cheer us on which is fantastic to see.”
Spa go into their Vase clash on the back of Tuesday’s penalty shoot-out defeat to Midland League Premier Division side AFC Wulfrunians in the Polymac Packaging League Cup.
Mitchell McDonald had given Wulfrunians a 66th-minute lead but striker James Lemon sent the tie to spot-kicks when he drilled home through the keeper’s legs in the second minute of stoppage time.
Lemon and Joe Mayo-Braiden missed in the shoot-out as Wulfrunians secured the victory, but Oliver was impressed with how the players competed against a side from two levels above.
“We were absolutely brilliant,” he said. “Wulfrunians are a very good side but we were chuffed to pieces with the work and effort the lads put in.
“It was a bit unfortunate to lose on penalties but if we can replicate that performance in the Vase we have a good chance of progressing.”
That defeat followed Saturday’s penalty shoot-out victory over Knowle in the Presidents Cup.
Torryn Connoly gave the Solihull visitors the lead before Max Crisp’s penalty drew Spa level prior to the break.
Substitute Nathan Corry nosed Knowle ahead once again but a last gasp strike from the edge of the area by Jack Allerton forced the game to spot-kicks where Spa won 4-2.
“Playing Knowle was always going to be tough,” Oliver said.
“We dominated the game but could not get the breakthrough until right at the very death.
“Performance wise we should have had the game tied up before then but we are in the hat for the next round which is what matters most.”